SoWhoCaresAnyWay E17 Start with what's strong, not wrong

Are you ready to take a challenge, starting conversations with three people in your own community?

In this episode I am delighted to be joined by Cormac Russell, a global leader in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). In this episode we explore how communities can shift from focusing on needs and deficits to recognising strengths and assets, ensuring change is driven by local people, relationships, and existing resources. Cormac talks about how, by ensuring that people are defined by their gifts they can actively contribute and interact within their own community. Cormac explains the true meaning of community, love, friendship and being there for each other. Starting with what’s strong, not wrong we all need to consider, ‘Is there a community solution to this problem before we start institutionalising somebody or before we start moving into a clinical intervention, might there be a non-medical way?’

This episode has something for everyone who cares about their communities, as Cormac shares stories, experiences and insights about

- What Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) means in practice and how to embed this in practice

- How communities can build on their strengths and assets, as a way to address their concerns

- The importance of citizen-led initiatives in creating sustainable change 

- Practical ways professionals can support community-led development without taking over   

- The connection between loneliness and feeling useless—why social inclusion matters 

- How communities can take action to reclaim public spaces and foster belonging 

- Why young people often feel "tired", the hidden link to social disconnection   

Cormac Russell is the Founding Director of  Nurture Development and a member of the ABCD Institute at DePaul University  . With over 25 years of experience, he has trained communities, agencies, and governments in strength-based approaches to development. He is also the author of books such as Rekindling Democracy, The Connected Community, and Asset-Based Community Development: Looking Back to Look Forward. 

Resources & Links

- Cormac Russell and Dr Sasha DeWolfe’s podcast The Connected Community    

-Learn more about Cormac Russell’s work at [Nurture Development] Nurture Development

- Find out more about Cormac Russell's books 

- Watch Cormac’s TEDx talk on community-led change        

- BBC Survey on loneliness trends among different age groups  Who Feels Lonely? The results of the world's largest loneliness study

- Nigel Crisp’s book on community health creation vs. hospital-based care community health creation vs. hospital-based care   

- Buurtzorg healthcare.

-Join Cormac for  a discussion on Child Welfare Through a Community-Centered Lens